The list of smoke tree other names is longer than you might guess. This plant goes by smokebush, smoketree (one word), wig tree, Venetian sumach, and dyer's sumach. All these names point to the same beautiful plant that gardeners have grown for hundreds of years across the globe.
The variety of smokebush names trips up a lot of new gardeners at the nursery. I've seen the same plant labeled as "smoke bush" at one garden center and "wig tree" at the shop across town. When I first went looking for one, I thought these were three different plants. A nursery worker set me straight after I described what I wanted. The confusion gets worse when you search online and find even more regional names popping up in your results.
Each name tells you something about this plant's look or history. "Smoke tree" and "smokebush" both point to those billowy flower plumes that look like puffs of colored smoke during summer. "Wig tree" comes from the way those same plumes hang down like fuzzy hair or an old-fashioned wig. "Venetian sumach" nods to the plant's roots in the lands around the Mediterranean Sea. "Dyer's sumach" honors the 1,000-year tradition of using its wood and leaves to make yellow dye for textiles.
Two main species carry these Cotinus coggygria common names. The European one is Cotinus coggygria, and you'll find this type at most garden centers. The American type goes by Cotinus obovatus and grows wild in the southern and central states. Both sit in the same plant family as poison ivy and sumac. Most cultivars you'll see for sale come from the European species or a cross between the two.
Smokebush and Smoketree
- Name source: The billowy flower plumes create a hazy, smoke-like effect around the plant canopy during the peak of summer blooming.
- Most used: This is the name you'll hear most often at garden centers and in plant books across North America and Europe.
- Spelling note: You'll see it written as one word (smoketree) or two words (smoke tree) depending on your source.
Wig Tree
- Name source: The fluffy plumes drape down from branches and look like strands of hair or an oversized wig sitting on the plant.
- Usage: This name pops up more in European garden writing than in American references about the plant.
- Visual fit: You'll see why this name works so well once your plant hits full bloom in midsummer and the plumes start drooping down.
Venetian and Dyer's Sumach
- Name source: "Venetian" points to the plant's origins near the Mediterranean, while "dyer's" honors its long use in making yellow dye.
- History: Textile workers across Europe and Asia used smoke tree wood to produce a warm yellow color for over 1,000 years of recorded history.
- Modern use: You won't hear these names at your local nursery, but they still appear in historical botany and textile craft books.
My best tip for you when shopping is to use the botanical name Cotinus at your garden center. Ask for a cultivar like 'Royal Purple' by name. I started doing this after I went home with the wrong plant twice in a row. Using the Latin name cuts out all the guesswork and gets you what you want on the first try.
Don't let all these smoke tree other names confuse you during your research. They all describe the same plant family. Knowing the labels just helps you spot it no matter where you find it listed. Your local shop might call it a smokebush or wig tree. Either way, you're looking at the same tough, beautiful shrub that puts on a great summer show for you and your yard.
Read the full article: Smoke Tree: Growing and Care Guide
